September 2017 Mix

September is always the best month, and this one was no exception. It started with the incredible Downtown Boys, was followed by a great Hopscotch (Solange killed it), which was followed by a trip to Asheville for Broken Social Scene. There were some great new albums to listen to along the way:

The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding: Arguably the best band not named Thee Oh Sees (or whatever derivative of that name they’re using this month).

Oh Sees – Orc: Oh, hey, speaking of! Do you like to get your face melted?

Downtown Boys – Cost of Living: Anyone asking where the good political anthems of the Trump era have been…point them this way.

El Michels Affair – Return to the 37th Chamber: Probably the last time I enjoyed an instrumental funk album this much was when the same band put out some Wu covers back in 2009.

Action Bronson – Blue Chips 7000: Not his best album, but not his best album is still among the best hip-hop albums of the year.

Kevin Morby – Singing Saw: Had never heard of him til I was researching Hopscotch bands. Very recommended for fans of War on Drugs, Phosphorescent, and Yellowbirds.